Hobbit Illustrated Edition: Illustrated Edition

Product Details

J.R.R. Tolkien?s great classic work, THE HOBBIT, celebrated its 60th year of publication (1937) with a gorgeous illustrated edition by artist Alan Lee, winner of the Kate Greenaway medal for illustration, and creator of the fabulously successful Centenary edition of THE LORD OF THE RINGS.

Containing 22 full colour illustrations depicting key scenes from this all-time classic (scenes such as Gollum and Bilbo, The Wargs, Smaug the Dragon and The Battle of the Five Armies), this beautifully designed volume also includes a wealth of integrated pencil drawings which demonstrate perfectly Alan?s genius at work.

Alan Lee?s work on this book, as well as the illustrated LORD OF THE RINGS, led to him being approached by Peter Jackson to join the film trilogy as Conceptual Artist. The same artistic vision, present in his beautiful paintings and drawings, played a major role in the look of the films, and his work received the ultimate accolade with an Academy Award for Best Art Direction on THE RETURN OF THE KING.

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Reviews

Rated 1 out of
5 by
shirewanderer from
THIS COPY HAS PRINTING ERRORSThe Hobbit is one of my favorite books, but this copy is one you have to stay away from. The amount of printing mistakes are appalling. Punctuation is missing, the words are misspelled, and sometimes two words are pasted together. Don't let the pretty cover decieve you; this copy is irritating to read and not worth a single penny. Try the 75th anniversary cover (the green and white one with the mountains) or the one with the movie cover on it (it's got bilbo - martin freeman - standing inside his little hobbit hole with the door open). Those don't have anything wrong with them.
That being said, the story itself is magnificent. If you like adventure, without any romance, this is it. It's a story that focuses on a small creature who has decided to help an exiled king reclaim his homeland - and is ultimately a story of friendship, courage and family. The Hobbit is by far one of my favorite pieces of literature - it's funny, but keeps you on the edge of your seat. The characters are ones that will quckly worm their way into your heart. This is a story you'll never forget, thats for sure.

Date published: 2014-12-25

Rated 4 out of
5 by
Myself from
I enjoyed this a lotIt took me a few tries to get into this novel, but I'm glad I did. While my favourite Tolkien story is Lord of the Rings, I liked that this one gave the background to Bilbo and Golem. This is another good example of high fantasy. Tolkien takes his time to provide many details about the setting and characters to bring the story to life. An easier and faster read than Lord of the Rings but just as good.

Date published: 2014-10-17

Rated out of
5 by
Anonymous from
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Date published: 2013-08-12

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Lauren_Gilbart from
So great!It has taken me many years to pick this novel off my bookshelf. Back in Grade 6, I tried reading the first Lord of the Rings book, and I thought it was terrible. At that age, the songs were too boring and the descriptions were too long, so I stopped reading it 10 chapters in. Since then, I’ve just had no desire to read The Lord of the Rings or The Hobbit, even when I fell in love with the movies. When I heard that they were making The Hobbit into a movie, I decided I needed to forget my old feelings and start anew. So I read The Hobbit. And it was incredible. Of course, it’s much shorter than The Lord of the Rings books, but that doesn’t mean it’s any easier or less interesting. On the contrary, it’s one of the best books I’ve read in a long time. It gripped me from the start, and I couldn’t believe how perfectly paced Tolkien had written it. He made it seem like I was on the journey with the group. One death in particular seemed a bit less extravagant than I thought it should have been, but Tolkien was probably saving up for the final battle. Nonetheless, I am so glad I read The Hobbit. Bilbo Baggins is one of the most agreeable characters in a long while, but despite the fact that he is not a Man, he is still inflicted with many of the feelings, decisions and sorrows any great Man must face in life. I cannot wait until the movie comes out in December because I’m not at all worried that Peter Jackson will mess it up. He did The Lord of the Rings justice, so I know he’ll do this the same. To anyone who hasn’t picked up The Hobbit, I urge that you pick up this timeless tale and just devour it! To view more of my book reviews, visit: http://booksteame.com/

Date published: 2013-05-17

Rated 4 out of
5 by
VWrulesChick from
Thoroughly enjoyed reading this adventure of Bilbo!Classic fantasy fiction that comes to life with the adventure of Bilbo, the dwarves and Golum through Middle Earth. Loved the imagery and imagination used to create this world. Look forward to reading the Lord of the Rings trilogy to get to the know the characters even more. Loved how Bilbo challenges himself and takes intiatives to survive and not relying on Gandolf or the others. Kudos to Bilbo, the treasurer hunter!

Date published: 2013-02-06

Rated out of
5 by
Anonymous from
This was my favourite book as a kid, so I bought it for my brother for Christmas. The cover is lovely, and, of course, the book is superb. Can't go wrong with Tolkien.

Date published: 2013-01-27

Rated 4 out of
5 by
Jennifer_Rayment from
Perfect fantasy novel for young readersJake's Review: Would have been higher rating but the man just had way too much detail and his sentences were like 500 words long. Liked that the characters from the Lord of the Rings (e.g. Gandalf, Elrond, etc) were in the Hobbit. I watched The Lord of the Rings trilogy with my parents so I was familiar with many of the characters. I like the fantasy of the story with all the made up creatures and places. My favorite character was Bilbo because even though he was a wimpy, lazy guy he became brave and fought creatures bigger and stronger than he was. Gollum is one serious creepy dude (and Mom thinks she can do a Gollum voice but she can't - please make her stop) I think Aidan would really like this one. Jake's Rating: 8/10 Mom's Review: Jake and I decided to read this one together - in other words - I read a chapter out loud to him every night for almost a month. An absolutely delightful fantasy tale that I highly recommend everyone to read. That being said -- oh my god -- Tolkien is the "King" of the run on sentence. Reading it aloud was excruciating at times, I never knew when to breathe. Not to mention the shear amount of times he went off topic. It truly drove me nuts at times. It took us a while to get into it but about a quarter of a way in we were hooked and couldn't wait to read it each night. The dialogue between Bilbo and Smog was worth each and every run on sentence. The sheer amount of creativity put into this story is awe inspiring!!! Will be interesting to see what they do with the movies. Best part was reading it with Jake every night, a truly wonderful bonding experience. Mom's Rating: 8.5/10 I borrowed my husband's copy to read aloud to Jake. Yup he actually read a book once and liked it

Date published: 2012-12-31

Rated 3 out of
5 by
Leanne_Yang from
Didn't live up to my expectationsI was honestly expecting a bit more from The Hobbit. It just sort of fell short of my expectations. Maybe it was because I was expecting it to be like Eragon because of the beginning? The dwarves, goblins, wizards, I couldn't help but think of Eragon! Even though it was quite different from Eragon, I still enjoyed The Hobbit, just not as much as I would've liked to. Now, Bilbo, the hobbit himself was an interesting character to follow. I mean, at first he was the one that couldn't even climb up a tree without help, and the one who kind of slowed the group of travellers down. But later on, he grew to be a brave hobbit and accomplished a lot of things that his old self wouldn't have done. I especially liked the dwarves (by the way, my computer is saying that "dwarves" isn't a word, and should be corrected to wharves..) because each of them had a characteristic that you could remember them by. One was fat, two could make excellent fires, two of them the youngest, and one was a great guard. The others weren't mentioned as much, but it didn't bother me. The wizard in here, Gandalf, was said to have accomplished a lot and was a great wizard himself. But I just thought that he wasn't the best wizard. A lot of the times, I thought he could use his magic in some way to actually HELP. I mean, I get that he did save the hobbit and the dwarves quite a few times, but honestly, I just wanted to scream "HOW ARE YOU EVEN A WIZARD?" I expected so much more from him. -shakes my head- Overall, I liked the book, and I think anyone who is a fan of fantasy should read it. Just don't expect it to be like Eragon, maybe that's why I didn't like it as much as I would have. Who knows...

Date published: 2012-10-09

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Chris_Hambley from
Beautiful Book and Case!The artwork on the outside is fantastic, the story is amazing, and the pages are easy to read! I would absolutely recomend this copy of the book

Date published: 2012-03-12

Rated 5 out of
5 by
John_Soares from
Wizard!"Far over the misty mountains cold To dungeons deep and caverns old We must away ere break of day To seek the pale enchanted gold." Adventure anyone? The Hobbit is a novel about Bilbo Baggins' journey through middle earth with 13 dwarves and a wizard. It may be a bit slow for some as descriptions are lengthy and plentiful. However if you're the kind of person that enjoys being able to sit back, close your eyes and escape to another world. This is the book for you. 5/5

Date published: 2012-01-21

Rated 5 out of
5 by
shredthegnar74 from
A-freakin-mazingThe Hobbit is a classic that will never go out of style.

Date published: 2011-08-05

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Michael_Meltchenko from
Purely AMAZING!This book is absolutely everything you need to make your imagination explode with awesomeness. I was reading it and couldn't let go. I hope more people will read this amazing story of a small Hobbit and the 13 dwarves. Super mega highly recommended!

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Kyra_Coll from
Well Written!I loved it, so entertaining!

Date published: 2010-09-25

Rated 5 out of
5 by
waqar_r from
One of Tolkien's ClassicsJ.R.R Tolkien is known for his fantasy writing. The Hobbit, was one of the most successful novels Tolkien has authored, being a prelude to his 'Lord of The Ring's' series. While reading the tale of the Hobbit, the author’s technique of combining different elements of drama, comedy, and suspense make reading the Hobbit an unforgettable experience. Tolkien’s talents stimulate the minds of the fantasy genre of almost all ages. In comparison to other fantasy writing I have read, no fiction author gives as bright, high-detailed illustrations of the environment and characters as well as Tolkien. Tolkien is appreciated greatly for his books so much that in fact, that many popular authors try to adopt Tolkien's writing style. Tolkien has gained amazing wealth, and is definitely a popular author. Although many authors try to adopt Tolkien's style, his talents are incomparable. The Hobbit, and The Lord of The Rings series are the best of any fantasy book written, in my opinion, and should belong in every fantasy reader’s library. Tolkien’s tales have also been put into movies, and not surprisingly every one of them has been a major blockbuster. Even if one were to read this book on a yearly basis, each year will be a delight and a thrill, by the new obstacles there are too discover in the world of Bilbo Baggins. Tolkien is a well-known storyteller, and the depth of his skill is best seen from reading his myth like tales. I have read other pieces of work by J.R.R Tolkien, but nothing compares to the enjoyment of the tale of the Hobbit. This book is filled with fascination, and even more enjoyable, are the illustration and paintings produced by the author himself. In closing, not buying a copy of the Hobbit would be a great regret, I am sure. It’s an opportunity to open one's mind to a new world designed totally inside Tolkien's imagination. Themes in this book are filled to the brim, and stir up one's mind making the reader want to read more. The most prominent theme in the Hobbit is the never-ending brutal battles of good against evil, which is stressed easily but not clearly.

Date published: 2009-12-14

Rated 4 out of
5 by
Mark_Johnson from
A true classicTolkien near the top of his craft... a great precursor to Lord of the Rings

Date published: 2009-10-29

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Mr.A from
Timeless classicThe Hobbit or There and Back Again" is the first story of Middle-Earth that was ever read by the masses. And to this day it remains a beloved favorite due to Tolkien's exceptional writing, realistic and lovable characters, and the fantastic, complicated world with its unlikely hero: a fuzzy-footed hobbit. Bilbo Baggins lives a pleasantly stodgy and dull life in the Shire, in a luxurious hole under a hill. ("It was a hobbit hole, and that means comfort") But his life is completely turned upside-down by the arrival of the wizard Gandalf and thirteen dwarves. The dwarves, led by the exiled king-in-waiting Thorin Oakenshield, want to regain the Lonely Mountain (and a lot of treasure) from the dragon Smaug, who drove out the dwarves long ago. Why do they want Bilbo? Because Gandalf has told them that he'd make a good burglar (even though Bilbo has never burgled in his life). So before Bilbo is entirely sure what is going on, he is being swept off on a very unrespectable -- and dangerous -- adventure. Bilbo and the Dwarves battle goblins and spiders, are nearly eaten twice, are captured and Bilbo is forced to riddle with the treacherous, withered Gollum, and ends up escaping with a magical Ring. But even after these obstacles, the dragon Smaug is still in the Lonely Mountain, and Bilbo is not entirely sure what to do to deal with this enemy. Author J.R.R. Tolkien had been crafting his mythos of Elves, Dwarves, Wizards and Men for years before writing "The Hobbit," but "The Hobbit" is the first story that people had the opportunity to read. It began as a line scrawled on a sheet of blank paper, and then into a bedtime story for his children. And even though it's overshadowed by "Lord of the Rings" and "Silmarillion," this book is an essential link. It's definitely sillier and lighter, but it provides the springboard for a lot of the stuff in "Lord of the Rings" -- especially the magical Ring that Bilbo finds in Gollum's cavern. The concept of hobbits started in this book -- the quintessential peaceful "wee" people, based on British countryfolk, with simple pleasures and unexpected depths of strength and resourcefulness. And, of course, fuzz on their large feet. Tolkien's Elves are a little more ethereal and less dignified, and his dwarves are a bit more comical and less grim. But Elrond hints at the full majesty of the Elves, and Thorin Oakenshield is still the most dignified, proud and impressively flawed dwarf there is. The last chapters of the book hint at the epic majesty of "Lord of the Rings," and some of the same victory/loss themes. And of course, the idea that even little people -- like a hobbit or a bird -- can change the world. Tolkien's writing is quick and light, while providing sufficient detail to let you picture what's going on. The dialogue is less influenced by Old English, and the pace is a lot faster (not surprising, since it was originally read to his kids before bedtime). Bilbo is a likable little guy -- he seems to be the last person whom you'd expect to be a courageous hero, but he shows incredibly strength and smarts when he's under pressure. Supporting characters like Thorin, Bard the Guardsman-turned-King, the king of the wood-elves, and even Smaug himself are never cookie-cutter, but multidimensional and immensely interesting to read about. "The Hobbit" was written for children, but adults can appreciate and enjoy it just as much. So read this book, then scoop up "The Fellowship of the Ring" and continue reading. A timeless treasure and classic.

Date published: 2009-08-01

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Catherine_Bezubiak from
The original fantasy adventure!This doesn't really need reviewing. Everyone knows it's an amazing book. I read it first when I was in grade three and fell in love with fantasy. I was often disappointed when I read other fantasy books after The Hobbit. Tolkien's language is elegant and poetic and a joy to read even if you are not interested in the genre. I haven't re-read it since high school and was surprised at how short of a tale it actually is. It always seemed like the ultimate tale of adventure when I was younger. It doesn't have the same subtle and intricate plot as The Lord of the Rings but that's also what makes it wonderful for everyone

Date published: 2009-05-15

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Alex_Gingras from
The Story Goes Ever On...Fans of The Lord of the Rings wil be able to learn about how Bilbo found the legendary One Ring, explains a bit more on Hobbit's and how he joined the adventure for treasue. You'll want to keep this book forever so that your descendents can enjoy the works of Tolkien.

Date published: 2009-04-16

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Andrew_Ingram from
Awesome book...One of the only books that I could not put down. This book is one I would recommend to anyone. Can't wait to get started on Lord of the Rings. I'm sad that the book is over so soon, but all good things come to an end :(. This is one of the only books that I wish was longer.

Date published: 2008-06-18

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Kaitlyn_Wilson from
A must-read classic for all agesIf you have not already read this novel - you must do so! It is absolutely amazing, and this is my favourite novel, only second to Lord of the Rings. Learn about where Bilbo found the One Ring, enjoy the Riddles in the Dark with Gollum, and laugh while you read about the dwarves' adventure. I recommend reading this before Lord of the Rings, for more background information - or even on its own just for a good novel. If you don't read LOTR though...you're missing out.

Date published: 2008-06-14

Rated 4 out of
5 by
Joshua_Beitz from
captivatingThe contents of Tolkien's "The Hobbit" have yet to be exceeded by any fantasy writer to date. The crispness of his imagery, the overwhelming sense of adventure instilled in his characters and the vastness of the world which he creates lend to the overall brilliance of his work. This book set the stage for what is arguably the most thorough and thought provoking adventure series in fiction history. it is a joy to be captivated by it time and time again.

Date published: 2008-01-22

Rated 4 out of
5 by
Brian_Medeiros from
Fun TimesI'm not a big Lord of the Rings guy, (though i liked the movies) but this book was fun. It's easy to read and fun to enjoy. I wish the other books in the series where more like this one.

Date published: 2007-12-10

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Matt_Enokson from
Great read for all agesThis novel stimulates the imagination and boosted my love of reading.

Date published: 2007-11-23

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Anonymous from
Fantasy Fantasia - Fantastic!Some what like the Lord of the Ring - Actually the Prequel of Lord of the Ring - and Harry Potter. Filled with magic and enchantment that brings the Dark Ages to Life.

Date published: 2007-08-16

Rated 3 out of
5 by
Anonymous from
Not As Good As I Had HopedAs popular as The Hobbit is with all fantasy lovers, I have to give this Tolkien novel a rating of only three out of five. I started out enjoying this adventure, but when the wolves and spiders, and even the dragon talked, I rolled my eyes, sighed, and continued reading (only because it's required for a course I'm taking on children's fantasy literature). In the movie, Lord of the Rings, Gollum is quite the character, but in The Hobbit novel he comes off as a tool the author uses to advance the story. He talks to himself so we know more about his background and the ring. The fantastic creatures are imaginative and interesting, but when used at the last minute to get main characters out of trouble or danger, the story becomes a disappointment with a "the Cavalry are coming" feel about it. The linear storytelling, however dull in this mode, lends itself well to the gaming version, which I'd give a five out of five.

Date published: 2007-01-20

Rated 3 out of
5 by
Anonymous from
HobbitWhat is a Hobbit one might ask? Well, they are relaxed, peaceful creatures. Bilbo Baggins, is one of the Hobbit’s who goes on adventures with Gandalf (the white wizard). This book takes place before the lord of the rings trilogy. It explains everything that you might not understand from the well-known trilogy. I found this book more enjoyable than the lord of the rings trilogy. Its very well written. I recommend it to anyone who is a fan of lord of the rings, or just loves reading fantasy books.

Date published: 2006-08-02

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Anonymous from
GREAT READThe Hobbit is a great book of fun and adventure. Follow Bilbo Baggins as he travels 'the world' on a fantastic adventure and self discovery. I would highly recomment this book to anyone who loves fantasy adventure stories, or those who enjoyed the Lord of the Rings movies/ books. You won't want to put it down until its finished!!

Date published: 2006-07-29

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Anonymous from
One of the best!I thought that 'The Hobbit' was a beautifully written book. Also i think that it should have the same type of recognition as The Lord of the Rings. They weren't the only books that Tolkien wrote.

Date published: 2006-07-23

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Anonymous from
The Ideal Fantasy!This is my all time favorite book! I first read it when I was in grade 6 and I have read it every subsequent year since then. J.R.R. Tolkien's epic tale of adventure and suspense grips the reader and delivers an engrossing experience for all ages! The Hobbit is the ideal book for every fantasy-lover!

Date published: 2006-07-11

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Anonymous from
Real goodthis book was one of the best books ive ever read, its a good book for people who like journey and fantasy books.

Date published: 2006-05-27

Rated 4 out of
5 by
Josh from
Good BookI'd suggst this book anyday to a teen reader who wants a good adventure book to read(although it would be the second book i'd suggest). Its full of excitement and adventure but has its boring parts also. Very descriptive and it seems like your almost in the story in middle earth. Great book.

Date published: 2006-02-10

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Terri-Lynn from
amazingTolkien is one of the best writers ever, no exception for his prequel to Lord of the Rings. It is a must have.

Date published: 2006-01-06

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Katherine from
The HobbitThis book is Really great! if i could, i'd find the time to read it more then 10 times! its so descriptive, it hurts! thats why i find it so great. not only that but its a very good book, its a Fanatasy/Action book, at least thats my opinion. the book is so great, i recommened this book to Every single person out there! read it! its the best book you'll ever read! at least for me it is, its the best book i ever read ...(besides other ones)

Date published: 2005-11-18

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Derek from
1 word, WOWI LOVED this book! I've read over 20 times and its just fantastic. The plot was well and the stroy was also written well. I recommend this book to LOTR fans.

Date published: 2005-01-09

Rated 5 out of
5 by
britty from
ExcellentThis is one of the most intresting and poetic books i've ever read; I couldn't put the book down, though i had to re-read some parts because it was complicated and a bit confusing... but the way the words flow is beautiful, after i've looked some of them up in the dictionary...the author used a lot of synonyms.

Date published: 2004-08-03

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Alex from
A great tale for the familyThis book really captured the image of a fantasy book. The Hobbit is one of the greatest books ever written. It really tells the tale of a young hobbit who goes out for an adventure and he finds something that he thinks he would never find, a ring. I would reccomend this book to anyone who wants to read it.

Date published: 2004-07-07

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Carolyn from
The HobbitI am 13 years old,and i read The Hobbit for a novel studies report, and this book is with out a doubt the best book i have ever read, it is so exciting and you don't want to put it down. I read the whole book within 3 days and I wish i could read it again.

Date published: 2004-06-08

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Jen from
The Hobbit: An Excellent Adventure!This book is amazing! The author JRR Tolkien did an excellent job wrapping the reader into the context and creating an unexpected beginning and end. It is a book for great adventure, and most of all a thrill to read! It was an excellent read, therefore I reward it with 5/5 stars!

Date published: 2004-04-06

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Rebecca* from
Outstanding!The Hobbit was an excellent novel, perfect for a fantasy/adventure reader. Though dry in some parts the overall plot and descriptive language makes this novel a book to remember!

Date published: 2004-02-18

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Michael from
GreatThis book is amazing!! I suggest all readers who like fiction and fantasy should read this. This is a masterpeice! GREAT BOOK!!

Date published: 2003-04-29

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Becky from
The best fantasy/adventure bookYou got to read this book, if you like adventure. It was my favorite. There may be some parts that you don't understand, but most of it you will. It'll always be my favorite book!

Date published: 2003-04-24

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Crystal from
~~~~*****The Hobbit*****~~~~The Hobbit is an epic story that tells how the ring of power originally landed into to poor Bilbo's hands. This is an essential book to understand the renowned three part tales of The Lord of the Rings. This is a must read for all Tolkien fans!

Date published: 2002-12-30

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Alexander_MacNabb from
The begining of the magic...First I was very pleased with the delivery of my order. Quick and relatively cheap, and my book was in mint condition when it arrived ( a nice suprise) This is the original work by Tolkien, about Biblo Baggins (Frodo's uncle) and his unexpected adventure with a group of 13 dwarves to their ancient homeland to liberate their inheritance from a powerful red Dragon named Smaug. This book is a must have for any Lord of the Rings fan.

Date published: 2002-12-21

Rated 3 out of
5 by
jason from
very slow and unemotionalThis book has a less mature plot directed at 10 year olds. While there is a very good description of the environment, better characterization and interactions among each other is needed. I rarely know exactly how the dwarves are feeling or how they are socially. All in all, I wouldn't recommend you read this book if not for Lord of the Rings.

Date published: 2002-07-29

Rated 2 out of
5 by
Sarah from
Why the hype??Woah, I know this book is REALLY popular and a much-loved classic but I must say that I did not like it a lot. The 'plot' is weak and the book is slow moving. This is not a work of literature! It does not contain any philosophical insights into life and is simply a fantasy-adventure story for those interested in the genre. I will NOT be reading Lord of the Rings now if ever because it took me about four months to wade through the Hobbit. Maybe it's better suited to men's minds, but I'd rather read Harry Potter any day. Do not recommend.

Date published: 2002-07-12

Rated 5 out of
5 by
andy from
fantastic!!!!this is a really great novel, try all of the LORD OF THE RINGS sequels and watch the three movies. They are even better than the novels by TOLKIEN.

Date published: 2002-07-08

Rated 5 out of
5 by
melanie from
The HobbitThe Hobbit is one of the best books I have ever read (I say one of the best because it's tied with the lord of the rings set). It is an amazing adventure story which should not be given away to anyone, as J.R.R. Tolkien's skill of story-telling cannot be exceeded. I would reccomend this book to anyone who enjoys an adventure or fantasy book, something to take you away from reality that keeps you turning the page. I can't possibly stress how awesome this book is! read it!

Date published: 2002-07-07

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Elyse_Kynsilok from
Wow!!!!!!!One of the best books I've ever read. It beats 'Harry Potter' by a long shot! I guarantee that anyone who reads this will be wanting more. Some people have said that the beginning is slow, but that it is worth it.

Date published: 2002-05-18

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Colin_Archbell from
BRILLIANT!!!!!!With the media hype about the fellowship of the ring movie out, I just had to read the hobbit. I knew of it to be a classic, and I can see why. I have read many fantasy books, mainly by Terry Brooks (a modern fantasy masterpiece writer), but even after reading Brook's superbe novels, the Hobbit still found a place in my heart. It was indeed a work of art. Tolkien is the Lord of Fantasy!

Date published: 2002-05-03

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Joanne from
THE HOBBITThis was an amazing book I like Bilbo the best. He was stripped away from his roomy hobbit-hole to go in search for a treasure with dwarves.. Gandalf the wizard helped them untill they got to a dark forest there he left them...IN FRONT OF THE WORST!!!

Date published: 2002-04-15

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Brock_LeGault from
An Incredible BookThis is an excellent tale which is told with a wonderful amount of poetry and humour mixed together brilliantly to keep people wanting more. This story will take readers into a magical, fantasy world without leaving the comfort of their own home. Follow Bilbo Baggins, the cute little hobbit, as he ventures through an action-packed quest with a group of dwarves and a powerful wizard named Gandalf. I strongly recommend reading this flawless masterpiece which Tolkien has put together with a perfect sense of creativity and imagination. I don't have enough hands to give the amount of thumbs up that this book deserves but I give it an easily earned five stars.

Date published: 2002-04-05

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Taylor_Daigle from
The HobbitThe book, The Hobbit is about a hobbit named Bilbo. He lives in the shire, which is the name of his town. He is asked by a wizard named Gandalf to go on a adventure. Hobbits are simple people. They are short and chubby and have harry feet. Hobbits never go on adventures, but Bilbo wasn't like other Hobbits, and he went. During his adventure he encountered goblins, giant spiders, giant trolls, and the fieriest of them all a dragon. He had to overcome many obstacles to achieve his goals. I enjoyed this book because it had a lot of character. The action in the book kept me reading until I couldn't read anymore. I think that this book is the best book I have ever read. I recommend this book to book readers that like adventure and action.

Date published: 2002-04-04

Rated 5 out of
5 by
candycane from
The HobbitThis is an excellent book. I recomend it to kids 10+. I enjoyed it

Date published: 2002-03-20

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Amelia from
The Best (well, tied with The Lord of the Rings)I loved it. It was great, after I read that I went and saw the Lord of the Rings movie then read the book (s). If you don't read the Hobbit or the Lord of the Rings your missing out on a really great book (s).

Date published: 2002-03-04

Rated 5 out of
5 by
charles from
The HobbitOne of the best novels I have ever read second only to the lord of the rings.

Date published: 2002-02-11

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Kirby from
AWESOME BOOK!!!This book is the best I've ever EVER read!!! It's totally worth it to buy it!!!

Date published: 2002-02-03

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Chris_Pinard from
The HobbitThe hobbit is an EXCELLANT book that does get the understanding of the rest of the lord of the rings series. I just finished reading it and soon wil be onto the fellowship of the fring. The hobbit on some parts will get a little confusing but with me something popped right up and i finally understood it. Especially the war at the end it was a great part.

Date published: 2002-02-02

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Dylan_Gowans from
A great bookThis book takes you into a world of fantasy and excitement. The ideas of Tolkien are amazing. My personal favourite character is the mysterious Gandalf. The best part by far is the end. A great book!

Date published: 2002-01-09

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Bilbo from
excellentThe start is boring but it becomes quite excellent later in the book. I finished this book in one day. It was excellent and I think it is a classic novel that every one should read.

Date published: 2002-01-08

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Amelia from
Truly EntertainingI read this book after seeing the movie 'Lord of the Rings'. I wasn't sure if the book 'the Hobbit' would be very good, I was truly surprised.That book was the best book I've read all year.

Date published: 2002-01-02

Rated 1 out of
5 by
*natasha* from
nothing goodi'm sorry everybody who loves this book but i hate it! i haven't even finished it! i just can't get into it lord of the rings is much better, but the hobbit is so boring and long, just get to the point!!!

Date published: 2001-12-08

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Suzie from
The HobbitThis book is excellent! Fantasy has just about never been better. The discription is great and it is so well excellant!!!! I'd give it a 10/10 and it's one of those books you just can't put down.

Date published: 2001-11-22

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Jason from
WOWThis is one of the greatest fantasy based books ive ever read. Tolkien writes a suberp master piece here EXCELLANT!!

Date published: 2001-11-18

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Kristene from
Haven't Finished Yet, But SO FAR EXCELLENTSo far this is one of the best books I have ever read!

Date published: 2001-10-19

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Sally from
It is sooooooooo gooood!!!I love this book sssssoooooo much! Its my favourite book ever. everyone should read it and everyone should like it too. Its full of magical delights! Its mystical charm blows me away!

Date published: 2001-10-13

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Atlantys from
Top Ten Best Book of All TimeThe Hobbit, along with LotR, is easily on the Top Ten, or even Top Five, best books of all time. I can't say enough good things about this book. Read it, enjoy it, and share it with everyone you know.

Date published: 2001-05-29

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Craig_McDougall from
A flawless masterpiece!The Hobbit is an epic masterpiece! I don't Know how Tolkien thought of it! Out of all the books I've read this has got to be the best yet! When your done reading this read 'The Lord of the Rings'! Thas good also!

Date published: 2001-05-25

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Craig_McDougall from
Thrilling!!The Hobbit is the most thrilling and suspenseful book I've ever read! I might be only be 11 but take my word for it IT'S A GOOD BOOK! And once your done reading it read some more J.R.R. Tolkien books!

Date published: 2001-05-25

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Dayna_Furst from
The HobbitThis is a captivating fantasy adventure that is sure to be remembered by the reader for his lifetime! Though it is indeed a fantasy, J.R.R. Tolkien has created characters and a world that are so alive, you are convinced that they surely existed somewhere far and long ago! The author brings suspense, humour, adventure and magic to this amazing story of lovable Bilbo Baggins, a hobbit/hermit, and his brave quest to reclaim the stolen treasures from centuries-old, evil, talking dragon Smaug. J.R.R. Tolkien paints pictures in your mind with his words, and creates music with the verse sung by the happy and courageous dwarfs, who accompany Bilbo on his quest. The many talking creatures Bilbo meets on his path leave the reader in awe and respect for an author with such a vivid imagination. This book is definitely a must read for both children and adults, and a collector's item in one's library.

Date published: 2001-05-05

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Brett_Reed from
#1 Book Of The 20th CenturyI picked up this book for a school project! and i read it again, this is BY FAR the BEST book I have ever read, and I am looking forward to Reading LOTR series, and seeing the movies! Thanks J.R.R. Tolkien!

Date published: 2001-04-22

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Ryan_Sage from
AmazingAn exciting book, you'll feel as if you're part of the journey, not just reading about it. Lovable characters, and non-stop adventures along the way, make this book a must buy for anyone.

Date published: 2001-04-18

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Jamie from
You won't need coffee to keep yourself awakeThis is one of the best books I've ever read! It takes you through an amazing fantasy world, filled with goblins and dragons, while keeping humourous! You won't be able to put it down!

Date published: 2001-04-12

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Connor_Gilhuly from
The HobbitIf anybody has read the Hobbit they would agree that this is one of if not the greatest book ever written. The book is full of twists and adventures,the party overcomes many road blocks that are set in front of them, from being trapped in an elven jail to being chased by a Dragon. The creatures and people in the books are fascinating and explained in great detail. My favorite would have to be Thorin the dwarf. If you read and like(d) the Hobbit I greatly recommend the Lord of the Rings trilogy by Tolkien( which are 3 times as good as the hobbit). Well enjoy the book(s).

Date published: 2001-04-03

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Steph from
AwesomeThis is one of the greatest books I've ever read. It is an amazing story that everyone should read. And after they're done,read The Lord Of The Rings! Excellant Book!!! ;b

Date published: 2001-03-16

Rated 5 out of
5 by
A.K from
The Best BookAfter reading this book Tolkien has now become my favourite author. The way this story is told is fabulous and I now tell my entire family to read it and evryone else I know. The hobbit is about a hobbit that goes an adventure. Hobbits don't really go on adventure, but some how Gandalf the wizard gets Bilbo to come along and so this is the story of how Bilbo the hobbit sets out on an adventure and find's himself face to face with a deadly dragon...

Date published: 2001-02-24

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Ryan_Tavares from
The Hobbitif your'e into great fantasy novels Tolkein is the author 2 read. His cast of characters are amazing and his use of description takes your's breath away, over all this is probably the best fantasy novel youre going to read. Once you pick the book up i'll bet my life savings you won't put it down and all the different roadblocks in this book are pnenomianal and how the over come them are so creative. This book is a must have if youre into fantasy novels. Tolein's overall plot in this story is great, I can't stress enough about the description in this book when you pick this book up and read the first paragraph you will be like WOW!!

Date published: 2001-02-18

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Susanne_McKay from
Storytelling at it's best!Reading The Hobbit, you can almost imagine yourself curled up by a warm fire listening to J.R.R. Tolkien telling the tale of Bilbo's grand adventure. It's wonderful to be taken from the comfortable hobbit hole to the lair of Smaug the dragon, through a succession of exciting adventures. Trolls, goblins, dwarves, elves, and giant spiders come alive and make you believe that there really may be dragons guarding piles of gold inside mountains. Tolkien is a gifted writer and The Hobbit is a marvelous tale that is ranked among the best classics in childrens literature. This is a book that brings out the child in everyone!

Date published: 2001-02-08

Rated 4 out of
5 by
Jeffrey_Law from
The HobbitThis book made me interested in all the fairy-tale creatures. It was very creative and original. I lke the idea of making up a new creature (hobbits)instead of just sticking with the other well-know ones.

Date published: 2001-02-06

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Lew_Pellar from
The HobbitThe hobbit is an amazing book it is filed with adveture and suspense. the author is an incredible author one of my favorites

Date published: 2001-02-06

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Mohamad_Ghossein from
The best book everThis is the best book ever,I read two times and I still want to read it. I cant stop reading it. I GIVE IT TWO THUMBS UP !!!

Date published: 2000-12-18

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Rob_F._Gentles from
Start them youngAlthough the Hobbit is often overshadowed by the Lord of the Rings Trilogy, it is a far happier book and is much more accessible to younger children. I would strongly recommend reading it to your children by eight or nine at latest (depending on maturity of course). The Hobbit is not as inclusive as our culture would like and it does not have the saccharine happy ending of a Hollywood production. Some might say this is the best reason of all to get them started on the Hobbit.

Date published: 2000-12-09

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Caitlin_Irving-_Zwicker from
The HobbitBilbo Baggins embarks on a compelling journey up an mountain and as far away from his Hobbit- Hole as possible- but all the hardships will be rewarded in the end. Smaug the Dragon is who the gang of theives is descending on, but many obstacles get in their way, will they make it, and steal the gold or not??? J.R.R Tolkien at his finest.

Date published: 2000-12-03

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Shyla from
True FantasyThe Hobbit was by far one of the most engrossing books readers/I, have ever read. This author had such narrative skill which carried the reader on throughout the various climaxes, page after page. Bilbos' enchanting world where ferocious goblins torture for meaningless reasons, dragons sleep on immense treasure and elves and magical creatures roam the lands. How J.R.R Tolkien placed the words and made you picture every slight detail was amazing. Tolkien described Gollum as a truely horrendous being, the dwarves with all separate personalities and Smaug being so greedy and so horribly fearsome. This among the great works of imaginative fiction. But I am only 13, what do I know about books?

Date published: 2000-11-19

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Alex from
And Lord of the Rings is better?If the Lord of the Rings is better, well, I don't know what to expect! I did think the hobbit started slowly, but I enjoyed reading of Bilbo's great adventure. I wondered if Frodo's adventure could be better, but, because I'm 130 pages through, I'm not wondering anymore!

Date published: 2000-11-18

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Mark_Ross from
There And Back AgainThe Hobbit, by J.R.R. Tolkien, is a masterpiece. NO other book that i have read has come near to its perfection, other than the sequel, Lord of the Rings, by J.R.R. Tolkien. This book is about a hobbit, taking a multiple journey's in his one task: to get to the Lonely Mountain, or Erebor, and slay the dragon Smaug, to get the dwarves lost treasure. 13 dwarves and a wizard, Gandalf, recruit him, and this book has recruited me for life! From his journey that involved trolls, goblins, a magical ring, eagles, wargs (wolves), giant spiders, inprisonment in an elf-castle, there amazing escape, and Bilbo Baggin's (the hobbit) dealings with the dragon, this book is just awe-inspiring! read it, and you will be taken straight to the action!

Date published: 2000-11-03

Rated 4 out of
5 by
Esther_Crann from
Great FantasyA must read for anyone who has or has not read Lord of the Rings. It sets the background for the rest of the books. I first read this novel at 18 and have reread it many times over and over again. Lord of the rings seems daunting to young people at first, so the Hobbitt gets them hooked and leads into the depth of the rest of the stories. Great fantasy, mystery and adventure. You can step right into Bilbo Baggin's shoes anytime during the story. Meet all the fasinating characters prior to reading "Lord of the Rings".

Date published: 2000-10-18

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Edward_Lau from
Great sci-fi adventureThis is one of the best sci-fi adventure books ever written. J.R.R. Tolkien create a fabulous fantasy world and takes his character, Biblo Baggins, from a timid, well reserved creature into an adventure along with thirteen dwarves. They travel to far away unknown lands that contain giant spiders, goblins, and even dragons. The story starts off slow building up the main character's persona, but later when the story begins to unravel, you could not put this book down. I recommend this book to anyone who likes sci-fi books.

Date published: 2000-09-07

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Jason from
The HobbitI recently decided to embark on a journey through the curious little world of Mr. Baggins. He took me on a trip that was a fantastical escape from reality. Anyone with (or even without) a hint of 'tookish' ancestry would revel in this wonderfully crafted adventure (read it, you'll see what I mean). A definite 'must' for anyone's personal library. I look forward to The Lord of The Rings.

Date published: 2000-08-31

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Joshua_Li from
The HobbitThe best book of the century!

Date published: 2000-08-24

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Captain_Rickets from
A Prelude to the Book of the MilleniumJ.R.R. Tolkien was and is still the basic building block by which all modern writers of this specific category look to as they write their novels. The reason why is clearly seen in his prelude into the masterpiece and the book rated the Book of The Millennium THe Lord of the Rings. The Hobbit is the book that got me into reading. Before I had read this my reading experiences consisted of Math Text Books, and those tiny stories that parents read to you as a child. I don't think I could have chosen a better book to start off with because now reading is one of my favorite hobbies. Tolkien's style is so rich and unique it entwines you in a web and doesn't let you go until you are done. The descriptiveness makes you almost believe that this could be our actual history. All I can say is that the man was a genious and his son is showing signs of it as well. Tolkien served in the army during two wars and his knowledge of it is clearly present in the battle of the Hobbit. However, it becomes much more apparent in the Lord of the Rings which I would command you to read if I could...but I can't so all I can do is suggest for you to read it. So once again read this and I guarantee you will look at books in a whole new aspect. And once you polish this off you will soon find yourself deep in the pages of the Lord of the Rings.

Date published: 2000-08-24

Rated 5 out of
5 by
veronica from
the HobbitI have read this wonderful book to all my Children, it is full of fun,, wonder and scary creatures,It,s exciting,and adventurous,and you never want it to end.you feel every thing in the story it carrie,s you along,until you become a part of the picture, you feel the fear and the hard stone under your feet,the cold wind blowing in your face and the Goblin,s breathing in your ear.the panic of Bilbo trying to think of riddle,s playing a game with an evil foe, but having no choice, The great Dragon, smaug and the huge pile of treasure, he greedily watches over, and all the other mishap,s and near misses on this great quest.this story is timeless and ageless, a look into the live,s of being,s just like us with all their doubt,s and fear,s and insecuritie,s. A marvelous look at ourselves, A great literary achievement.by Mr Tolkien. Thank you. .

Date published: 2000-08-21

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Michael from
A Book To Be Remembered."If you like to read fictional books on little dwarves and trolls this is the book for you" This book has alot to do on trolls dwarves hobbits and alot of weird creatures.This starts in a town with a hobbit named Bilbo and this hobbit meets friends along the way of his adventure.This book has to be read to the letter or you'll never figure out what there talking about.There are alot of twists and turns that will be explained throughout the book. Overall this book is an excellent read for anyone that likes to read the fictional.I myself loved this book and all its great stories and creatures. I employ you to read or even by this book it might even get better every time you read.

Date published: 2000-08-06

Rated 2 out of
5 by
Billee from
The Hobbitthis book isn't what i would call "good." I think that it is very... boring. People say that detail is good, but i think too much is.. well, not good. This book is one of those too much detailed book. If you are into reading long books, and dont mind reading stuff that takes an hour to explain, you would probably like this book. A couple people do, and i think thats fine, but not me. I would not recommend this book at all. SO..... those who want to venture out try something new and different, go ahead with this book, just be prepared. Good luck!! :)

Date published: 2000-07-22

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Andrea from
Read it at least once per year!The Hobbit (in my opinion) is the best book that was ever written! It is an extrodinary adventure for people of all ages. All of the characters are very well developed. The Hobbit is adventurous, humorous, and touching story about our dear Mr. Bilbo Baggins (the hobbit) who leaves his beautiful hobbit hole one fine morning to find adventure. Acompanying Thorin, King Under the Mountain, his 12 dwarves, and Gandolf the Gray as the "expert treasure-hunter", Bilbo undergoes many new experiences and meets a lot of people (not all of them friendly). The Hobbit made me a fantasy fan. It opened a Whole new world to me.

Date published: 2000-07-01

Rated 4 out of
5 by
mito from
Poor Fili and KiliThe novel was very well written with a style that I've never seen before. I thought the plot was a build up that amounted to a disappointment. This story is not about the plot but rather about the transition of Bilbo Baggins. I don't believe I'll read Lord of the Rings just because this is not the prefered genre. At the end, I did feel sorry about Fili and Kili due to what set upon them that they never intended. Lastly, is Bilbo a rabbit or something else? The title leads me to believe it's a rabbit because it rhymes with hobbit but I think Bilbo is a mole.

Date published: 2000-06-20

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Hollie_McLean from
ExcellentWhen I was 9 or 10 my dad tried to get me to read the Hobbit but I had to stop when it got to Gollum because I was really scared. I just finished reading it and it was awesome. I really really enjoyed it. And the Lord of the Rings is even better than the Hobbit!

Date published: 2000-05-19

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Matthew_Morin from
Riddles in the dark!I am sure that you have read review, after review, after review of this book already, but i must assure you, that "The Hobbit" is the greatest book I have ever read! I could not put this book down and I ended up finishing it in 3 days. I HAVE NEVER READ ANY OTHER BOOK THAT FAST!!! By the end of the book, I was sad because there were no more pages left!! Anyway, if you will excuse me, for I am off to read "The Lord Of The Rings"!!

Date published: 2000-03-31

Rated 4 out of
5 by
elizabeth from
The HobbitI thought the book was well written. It was sort of boring at the begining.

Date published: 2000-02-29

Rated 4 out of
5 by
Darryl from
Swimming in a pool of syrup.What I mean by that title is that I think this is a fantastic literary work but as with a lot of great literature, that doesn't always make it an enjoyable experience. I found the story wandered around and never seemed to really be going anywhere (much like it's characters) and although it was well written with fantastic prose it was somewhat overdone and meandering. A tough read but worth it if you have the time and patience.

Date published: 2000-02-27

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Melinda from
An Intriguing and Magnificent BookMy father first read this book to me when i was five years old. Even now i remember how concered for Bilbo i was. You have to read this book! It is simply excellent, and you won't find a better piece of literature. After you read this, you must read the Lord of the Rings.

Date published: 2000-02-25

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Leor from
The Best BookThis story was great. There once was a hobbit and hobbits hate going on adventures. And his name was Bilbo Baggins and he had a friend called Gandalf and he was a wizzard. Gandalf loved adventures. And he had friends that were dwarves. And they loved going on adventures too. They convinced Bilbo Baggins to go on an adventure to get the great powerful Smaug the dragon. They started on their adventure and then they met the trolls..Bert Bill..William. And they argued about how they would eat them. But they turn to stone. I CANT SAY ANY MORE. The end.

Date published: 2000-02-13

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Judy from
The HobbitBilbo Baggins is a hobbit who is living a very easy, relaxing life in his home at Bag End. Encouraged by the mysterious wizard Gandalf, Bilbo joins a band of dwarfs in their adventure through perilous forests, giant spiders, menacing trolls and other dangers of the Middle Earth. This epic adventure keeps you spellbound as Bilbo and company pull off one miracle after another. It initiated my love of fantasy. I have read it a number of times, and always find it a source of creative thought. A great book! I would recommend it to readers of all ages.

Date published: 2000-01-26

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Joe_Ayotte from
The Book that inspired!I really wasn't a reader most of my life. After reading (boring) books at school, the fact of even thinking of reading bored me. Until I was told to read this wonderful book by J.R.R Tolkien. I forced myself into the first chapter or two but after that I couldn't put the thing down. Tolkien's masterful writting kept me turning the pages and took me on a ride I've never experienced in reading before. The main character (a little hobbit named Bilbo) meets a mighty wizard who, along with a party of Dwarves, takes him on an adventure that will change his life forever. With Tolkien's amazingly realistic world he adds an equally amazing story with an ending that makes this excellent book even better, The Hobbit is definately a must read for anyone (fantasy, or non fantasy lover) out there!

Date published: 2000-01-21

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Matthew_Caven from
The HobbitThe Hobbit was the most excellent book I have ever read. It gives great detail and has the best plot I know of. If you read this, you have to read Lord Of The Rings. Thanks, Matthew Caven

Date published: 1999-12-12

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Amir_Sheth from
One of the most electrifiying books in the world!!I read this book with grade 6 teacher. It was one of the best books. It has full of suspense and lots of mysteries!!!! This book was very well written and has lots of cool characters!!!! If you are looking for a long book but that is very good, come and buy this book write here on Chapters.ca (Very good price compared where I got mine)!!!!

Date published: 1999-12-01

Rated 5 out of
5 by
jonathan_mcdonald from
Amazing novel!the extraordinary fanstasy writer JRR Tolkien tells the classic adventurous tale of a certain hobbit and his quaint pursuit for treasure. It is set in a fantasy world where good is at battle with evil. This fable is about one small humble hobbit taking on the greatest challenge of his life. It starts when a mysterious wizard appears at Bilbo Baggins' comfortable home looking for a burglar to aid in their quest to otain treasures from the legendary dragon Smaug. The novel exhibits several examples of courage found somewhere deep inside of us. This novel was so admired, it is now woven into the educational system. Anyone that is interested in fantasy, mystical wizards, perilous adventure and a truly charming tale will love this book.

Date published: 1999-11-05

Rated 4 out of
5 by
Fae from
hobbit, a rabbit?Excellent fantasy, but no female characters whatsoever! Should have been more diversity, but all in all a great adventure on a perilous journey.

Date published: 1999-08-13

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Michael from
The HobbitMr. Bilbo Baggins, small, portly and easily frightened, fought goblins, outsmarted the Gollum and killed giant spiders - all for the sake of adventure. Tolkein's epic, a masterpiece for both young and old, set the foundation for the present fantasy genré. He created a whole world in his mind, originally for his children, and it became a classic, important novel. Robert Jordan, David Eddings and many others were clearly influenced by Tolkein. The free-flowing language allows any reader to enjoy the rich descriptions and playful dialogue. Children interested in Redwall or C.S. Lewis's The Chronicles of Narnia would definitely love this, too.

Date published: 1999-04-13

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Mike from
The HobbittThe prelude to The Lord of the Rings, this delightful little fable can be read entirely on its own, for equal enjoyment. Bilbo Baggins is a hobbit who gets involved with a roving band of dwarves, a mysterious wizard, and a dragon with a very foul disposition. A charming story, which sets the tone for the much darker trilogy to follow. Still great fun for adults and children.

Hobbit Illustrated Edition: Illustrated Edition

The following ISBNs are associated with this title:

ISBN - 10: 026110330X

ISBN - 13: 9780261103306

From the Publisher

J.R.R. Tolkien?s great classic work, THE HOBBIT, celebrated its 60th year of publication (1937) with a gorgeous illustrated edition by artist Alan Lee, winner of the Kate Greenaway medal for illustration, and creator of the fabulously successful Centenary edition of THE LORD OF THE RINGS.

Containing 22 full colour illustrations depicting key scenes from this all-time classic (scenes such as Gollum and Bilbo, The Wargs, Smaug the Dragon and The Battle of the Five Armies), this beautifully designed volume also includes a wealth of integrated pencil drawings which demonstrate perfectly Alan?s genius at work.

Alan Lee?s work on this book, as well as the illustrated LORD OF THE RINGS, led to him being approached by Peter Jackson to join the film trilogy as Conceptual Artist. The same artistic vision, present in his beautiful paintings and drawings, played a major role in the look of the films, and his work received the ultimate accolade with an Academy Award for Best Art Direction on THE RETURN OF THE KING.

About the Author

Alan Lee is an illustrator of myths, legends and fantasy, as well as an author, film designer, and fairy authority. Best known as the illustrator of Tolkein?s Middle Earth books, he also did the watercolours for a centenary edition of Tolkein?s The Lord of the Rings and worked with Peter Jackson on Tolkien?s Lord of the Rings.